It’s important to have a good message first and foremost – good writing can only enhance the message, not replace it – see: http://kilobox.net/328/good-writing-and-a-good-message/

As you know, I’m someone who takes everything personally and you’d think that would make me difficult to edit, but I hope I’m not because when it comes to my writing, constructive criticism is always appreciated. Partly it’s because I appreciate you’re a better writer than me with more experience, and I have great respect for you as a professional editor, but it’s also because writing is so very personal that I feel it’s always important to be open to the perspective of others.

I can read my own work back numerous times and not notice something that you will see straight away. Editing isn’t just about making something better, it’s about reviewing a piece as the ‘reader’ and not as the ‘writer’ – often difficult for the writer to do for themselves in my opinion.

They don’t detract from your work (if they’re good) but rather they help sculpt it into the best shape it can be for the audience. They are literary stylists; they make you look good.